Need advice on what or what not to wear

[piperdbh]

Eric,
Welcome aboard from western North Carolina, the greatest place on Earth!

There's no need for ghillie brogues. They do look nice, but so do other shoes. Those you mentioned should serve you just fine. I don't think your clansmen will think ill of you or turn you away for not wearing ghillies. Nice-looking comfortable shoes are more important than "authentic" shoes.
I hope you enjoy the gathering!

[ForresterModern]

Eric

I will leave you in the most capable hands of your clan brother Sandy. He will not steer you wrong.

[JSFMACLJR]

Thanks to everyone for your much appreciated input. It appears I ALMOST made a less than optimum choice with a dress MacLean kilt. THANK YOU FORRESTER MODERN and JSFMACLJR for your input. I will take your advice and get a MacLean Hunting Tartan kilt instead. It will go better with my forest green balmoral anyway so that will work out well. One more question, if I cannot afford ghillie brouges what would be most acceptable? I have some nice corafram dress shoes from my military days or I have a pair of oxford type slip on shoes.

Thanks again for taking time for a "newbie". I do appreciate it.

Eric

Comfortable shoes are important! Don't worry about ghillie brogues. Some of us never wear them, actually.

There are usually all sorts of outings during the Gathering (Staffa and Iona come to mind). One does not have to wear the kilt on these treks. Good hiking shoes, a sweater, jeans or khakis or what have you, and a good waterproof rain coat will work just fine. You certainly could wear the kilt if you choose to, though.

[thescot]

Thanks to everyone for your much appreciated input. It appears I ALMOST made a less than optimum choice with a dress MacLean kilt. THANK YOU FORRESTER MODERN and JSFMACLJR for your input. I will take your advice and get a MacLean Hunting Tartan kilt instead. It will go better with my forest green balmoral anyway so that will work out well. One more question, if I cannot afford ghillie brouges what would be most acceptable? I have some nice corafram dress shoes from my military days or I have a pair of oxford type slip on shoes.

Thanks again for taking time for a "newbie". I do appreciate it.

Eric

Don''t wear corfam during the day. It looks like patent leather, and that's for evening only.

If your oxfords are the same color as your unshiny day sporran, wear them. If not, and fairly plain pair of oxfords will be fine. You can get a pair cheap anywhere (unless you wear a 14 AA like me).

But defer to JSFMACLJR no matter what I may have said here.

[RB51]

I don't have any sartorial wisdom to offer that hasn't been more than capably covered by the fine gentlemen of this forum already, but I do bid you welcome from BC.

Laurie

[Jock Scot]

I have nothing to add to the sage advice already given, other than reiterate that comfortable shoes are a must, to that end, ignore those awful ghillie brogues. As a rough guide, you will be surprised how low profile and low key most of the locals will be dressed. Much of their attire will be well worn, even worn out in some cases, but worn well.

[Eric Schutte]

I am truly humbled and happy to have found such a great bunch of people on this forum....thanks to you all. Comfortable shoes it is!!! LOL

Thanks again,

Eric

[nh_maclean]

Hello Eric,

We too are planning on attending the next Gathering on Mull, so I look forward to meeting you.

Most MacLeans wear the MacLean hunting tartan by day, and the red MacLean tartan for evening events. You certainly do NOT want to get a kilt of Dress MacLean, which has a white background. You certainly would appear a bit odd!

Cheers
Sandford MacLean

As another MacLean on here, this is good to know! I was fortunate enough to get a red MacLean kilt on here and I do have in mind to get a kilt in the hunting tartan at some point but perhaps that should be sooner then later.

Is there generally a preference for 'ancient' vs. 'modern' versions?

In regards to the MacLean gathering in 2012, my mother's been talking about getting the family over there for it, so perhaps we'll all meet over in Mull.

Cheers,
Noah

[Eric Schutte]

Noah, it would be an honor to meet any and all MacLeans at the gathering. Stay in touch and we'll plan to meet up in Mull in 2012!!

Eric

[JSFMACLJR]

As another MacLean on here, this is good to know! I was fortunate enough to get a red MacLean kilt on here and I do have in mind to get a kilt in the hunting tartan at some point but perhaps that should be sooner then later.

Is there generally a preference for 'ancient' vs. 'modern' versions?

In regards to the MacLean gathering in 2012, my mother's been talking about getting the family over there for it, so perhaps we'll all meet over in Mull.

Cheers,
Noah

Hi Noah,
Most tend to favour the ancient MacLean hunting tartan, although you can find quite a few modern. I would have to guess that 60% like ancient, 40% modern.

Sir Lachlan wears ancient hunting tartan.